Paul Merson has told Liverpool to cash in on Mohamed Salah and target Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka as the Egyptian’s replacement.
Back in 2020, when there were doubts about Bukayo Saka signing a new deal, it was probably Liverpool’s best opportunity to sign the winger, despite the presence of Mohamed Salah. The opportunity has long passed, and things have moved in a different direction for Arsenal, who are now one of the top teams in the Premier League.
With that, Bukayo Saka, their best player, only recently penned a new long-term deal at the Emirates. The new contract should calm things down in the market regarding suitors chasing his signature, although the rumours could restart in a couple of years.
Saka, only 21, has a long future ahead and is already pencilled in to achieve big things at the Emirates. Moreover, Mikel Arteta or Edu Gaspar will not even remotely entertain offers from anywhere, not least their direct rivals for the winger.
For £150 million, as former Arsenal star Paul Merson suggests, there’s no chance the north Londoners will trade Saka for that kind of money. The pundit on Sky Sports via HITC told Liverpool to pursue Saka as a replacement for Mohamed Salah, as there are rumours of an impending exit for the Egyptian.
👀 Paul Merson thinks Liverpool should sell Mo Salah for £200M to Al-Ittihad and use the money to buy Bukayo Saka from Arsenal in January for £150M.
🎙️🎥 @SkySportsPL pic.twitter.com/3X9qHZehch
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) September 2, 2023
Merson said, “They sell him for £200 million, and then in January, see if they can get Saka from Arsenal for £150 million.”
Saka would be Salah’s perfect replacement if Liverpool cashed in on their Egyptian winger. However, Arsenal will not entertain any offers for their in-form at that mentioned price of 150 million, let alone in January or next summer.
Liverpool rejected a mega-money bid worth £150 million from Al Ittihad on deadline day. The Saudi side are intent on signing the Egyptian as their headline player and could still have hope left in the tank ahead of the next few days.
With the Saudi window not closing for more days, reports suggest Al Ittihad could return with a mammoth £200 million offer to tempt Liverpool. Losing Salah at this stage, particularly after the transfer window shut, would prove difficult for the Merseysiders.
There’s an argument to sell the 31-year-old in exchange for money to help Jurgen Klopp rebuild his squad. Liverpool will not accept any offers as things stand, although things could spice up next January or summer. As for the Saka thing from Merson, Arsenal will certainly not entertain any approaches for their in-form talisman.
